Private sales - do you expect to get a discount?
Discussion
Morning all,
Having made an enquiry about a car I liked the look of yesterday I was rather surprised that the seller wasn't prepared to budge on price; it has been up for sale for at least a couple of weeks and believe reduced twice yet the seller was insistent that they are in no rush to sell which seems contradictory. Anyway I am a cash buyer and wanted to pay for it and take away the same day - for two reasons; one I need another car urgently and two it is over 100miles away.
Let's just say the car is priced mid twenties and I offered 1-1.5k off asking price for a swift and hassle free sale - would you consider that unreasonable? Oh I should also add the car in question has a rather strong depreciation curve so obviously have to be cautious.
Having made an enquiry about a car I liked the look of yesterday I was rather surprised that the seller wasn't prepared to budge on price; it has been up for sale for at least a couple of weeks and believe reduced twice yet the seller was insistent that they are in no rush to sell which seems contradictory. Anyway I am a cash buyer and wanted to pay for it and take away the same day - for two reasons; one I need another car urgently and two it is over 100miles away.
Let's just say the car is priced mid twenties and I offered 1-1.5k off asking price for a swift and hassle free sale - would you consider that unreasonable? Oh I should also add the car in question has a rather strong depreciation curve so obviously have to be cautious.
It's up to the seller. I put my Mustang up for sale and refused a £1k less offer as I wasn't actually bothered if I sold it or not. 2 years on and I still have it and I'm still happy about that. if I was desperate then maybe a low offer might wash but in this case, he has reduced it twice to take out the "ono" margin he probably had before.
If it's too rich for your blood, look for another.
If it's too rich for your blood, look for another.
The seller is not obliged to accept your lower offer.
Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
I don't expect, but I always try.
If the seller is willing to haggle then that's fine; if they aren't then I either pay the asking price (if it's what I'm willing to pay) or just leave my offer, my number and walk away.
Sometimes the seller will get back to me in a few weeks, sometimes they won't.
I don't see the point in being a tit about a haggle so if the seller won't move I won't hassle him. Likewise, when I'm selling, if a small move will seal the deal and let the buyer feel good about his manly haggling skills then that's fine with me.
I have, however, told people where to go if their haggle is ridiculous, offensive or aggresive.
If the seller is willing to haggle then that's fine; if they aren't then I either pay the asking price (if it's what I'm willing to pay) or just leave my offer, my number and walk away.
Sometimes the seller will get back to me in a few weeks, sometimes they won't.
I don't see the point in being a tit about a haggle so if the seller won't move I won't hassle him. Likewise, when I'm selling, if a small move will seal the deal and let the buyer feel good about his manly haggling skills then that's fine with me.
I have, however, told people where to go if their haggle is ridiculous, offensive or aggresive.
ferdyg said:
The seller is not obliged to accept your lower offer.
Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
Because so many people say they want a car but have to arrange finance - most fail - I know of over a dozen cases of this in the last two weeks alone as dealer friends have told me about keep losing sales. I am offering to pay for the car and take it away on the day so no waiting for the money or messing around. So yes I expect a discount for offering a trouble free purchase for the seller. I put the reg and details into WBAC to get an idea of a convenient transaction with them and it can up at 17500 - which means I offered 6k over their valuation and I would say alot more than a PX or auction price.Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
The car will continue to fall; the instant cash won't. Also a buyer needs to sell their car but a buyer doesn't have to buy it. If it is a rare or classic car then this is obviously a different situation entirely.
Edited by dasherdiablo1 on Friday 25th October 09:05
dasherdiablo1 said:
ferdyg said:
The seller is not obliged to accept your lower offer.
Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
Because so many people say they want a car but have to arrange finance - most fail - I know of over a dozen cases of this in the last two weeks alone as dealer friends have told me about keep losing sales. I am offering to pay for the car and take it away on the day so no waiting for the money or messing around. So yes I expect a discount for offering a trouble free purchase for the seller. I put the reg and details into WBAC to get an idea of a convenient transaction with them and it can up at 17500 - which means I offered 6k over their valuation and I would say alot more than a PX or auction price.Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
The car will continue to fall; the instant cash won't. Also a buyer needs to sell their car but a buyer doesn't have to buy it. If it is a rare or classic car then this is obviously a different situation entirely.
Edited by dasherdiablo1 on Friday 25th October 09:05
There seems to be a mindset on PH that buyers should always roll over in the face of a seller. Cue the comments about insulting or offensive offers. It's a car FFS, not the wife!
If a car is advertised at a said price and you got to view it at 'that price' then thats what you should be prepared to pay. If you get there and the car needs tyres,tax etc then maybe you have some room for bargaining unless this was taken into account by the seller in the asking price.
I think everyone expects some discount as thats just the way it is when buying a second hand car privately but in my experience this is usually just a couple of hundred quid regardless of the cost of the car. To offer a grand+ less is a bit cheeky to be honest.
I bought a car that was advertised for £24995 and the most he would knock off was £250 despite two bald rear tyres but the car was just what i wanted and i was having one hell of a job finding the right one so didnt really let it bother me.
I think everyone expects some discount as thats just the way it is when buying a second hand car privately but in my experience this is usually just a couple of hundred quid regardless of the cost of the car. To offer a grand+ less is a bit cheeky to be honest.
I bought a car that was advertised for £24995 and the most he would knock off was £250 despite two bald rear tyres but the car was just what i wanted and i was having one hell of a job finding the right one so didnt really let it bother me.
dasherdiablo1 said:
ferdyg said:
The seller is not obliged to accept your lower offer.
Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
Because so many people say they want a car but have to arrange finance - most fail - I know of over a dozen cases of this in the last two weeks alone as dealer friends have told me about keep losing sales. I am offering to pay for the car and take it away on the day so no waiting for the money or messing around. So yes I expect a discount for offering a trouble free purchase for the seller. I put the reg and details into WBAC to get an idea of a convenient transaction with them and it can up at 17500 - which means I offered 6k over their valuation and I would say alot more than a PX or auction price.Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
The car will continue to fall; the instant cash won't. Also a buyer needs to sell their car but a buyer doesn't have to buy it. If it is a rare or classic car then this is obviously a different situation entirely.
Edited by dasherdiablo1 on Friday 25th October 09:05
Car is for sale at say £20k... its been reduced twice and seller is happy to hold on to it until they can get £20k.
If you want a £18k car, then go find an £18k car, not go with cash and wave it in their face and rant when you cant get a discount.
If the car had some issues then I would expect to negotiate, but I wouldnt expect a discount for cash... never!! I would ask and be cheeky, but thats it.
Effectively everyone is paying cash of some sort, you just happen to have it in your hand, if I would need to wait a few days for finance to be sorted then that is fine, but not to expect 5-10% off as you have it now.
besides unless you already have everything sorted you wouldnt be driving it away at that particular moment anyway.
Anything is only worth what something is willing to pay.
So if you're the only serious punter, and you think it's worth £x, then that's what it's worth.
OTOH, if your offer is too close to the trade-in value, the seller may decide that a private sale is more trouble than it's worth and simply trade it in.
So if you're the only serious punter, and you think it's worth £x, then that's what it's worth.
OTOH, if your offer is too close to the trade-in value, the seller may decide that a private sale is more trouble than it's worth and simply trade it in.
Du1point8 said:
dasherdiablo1 said:
ferdyg said:
The seller is not obliged to accept your lower offer.
Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
Because so many people say they want a car but have to arrange finance - most fail - I know of over a dozen cases of this in the last two weeks alone as dealer friends have told me about keep losing sales. I am offering to pay for the car and take it away on the day so no waiting for the money or messing around. So yes I expect a discount for offering a trouble free purchase for the seller. I put the reg and details into WBAC to get an idea of a convenient transaction with them and it can up at 17500 - which means I offered 6k over their valuation and I would say alot more than a PX or auction price.Why do you think that you are entitled to a £1k - £1.5k discount because you are paying cash?
Private seller do not normally take park exchanges or arrange a payment plan for you so how else would you pay them if not by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
If the car is more than you wish to pay then find another one within your budget
The car will continue to fall; the instant cash won't. Also a buyer needs to sell their car but a buyer doesn't have to buy it. If it is a rare or classic car then this is obviously a different situation entirely.
Edited by dasherdiablo1 on Friday 25th October 09:05
Car is for sale at say £20k... its been reduced twice and seller is happy to hold on to it until they can get £20k.
If you want a £18k car, then go find an £18k car, not go with cash and wave it in their face and rant when you cant get a discount.
If the car had some issues then I would expect to negotiate, but I wouldnt expect a discount for cash... never!! I would ask and be cheeky, but thats it.
Effectively everyone is paying cash of some sort, you just happen to have it in your hand, if I would need to wait a few days for finance to be sorted then that is fine, but not to expect 5-10% off as you have it now.
besides unless you already have everything sorted you wouldnt be driving it away at that particular moment anyway.
Not talking about waving money around or expecting a cash discount; I am talking about the convenience of an easy, safe stress free sale; no matter whether or not you agree with me the point is many many tens of thousands of people do because they go to wbac to get the same service I am offering as a private buyer and they make a huge amount of money every single day, that my dear PHer is what is know as a winning business plan - it isn't popular but it works - so much so that BCA have just bought them to tie the market up further!
DJP said:
Anything is only worth what something is willing to pay.
So if you're the only serious punter, and you think it's worth £x, then that's what it's worth.
Which is fine assuming the seller has urgency to sell, if not, or if he just decides you'r an arse, you've still not bought the thing.So if you're the only serious punter, and you think it's worth £x, then that's what it's worth.
If you're so clued up why did you come on here to ask for advice? If 20 people agreed with you that you should have a discount, would you print this thread off and take it to the seller and say "Look, these clued up people think I need to have a discount!".
My opinion? If they've knocked it down twice already then you'll probably struggle. Go and view the car and try to find negative points to haggle the price down, don't just expect £1k off, they don't owe you anything. Are you haggling for the sake of haggling or can you genuinely not afford the extra amount?
My opinion? If they've knocked it down twice already then you'll probably struggle. Go and view the car and try to find negative points to haggle the price down, don't just expect £1k off, they don't owe you anything. Are you haggling for the sake of haggling or can you genuinely not afford the extra amount?
kambites said:
True, but the seller might have the option of not selling at all if he can't find a buyer at the price he wants.
markmullen said:
Which is fine assuming the seller has urgency to sell, if not, or if he just decides you'r an arse, you've still not bought the thing.
Absolutely. 
dasherdiablo1 said:
Well it takes 5 mins to do a HPi which I would do before going. I would have already spoken with my insurance company so that would be a 5min phonecall. A trip to the bank to transfer the money - half an hour but peace of mind for the seller. So I don't see your point.
Not talking about waving money around or expecting a cash discount; I am talking about the convenience of an easy, safe stress free sale; no matter whether or not you agree with me the point is many many tens of thousands of people do because they go to wbac to get the same service I am offering as a private buyer and they make a huge amount of money every single day, that my dear PHer is what is know as a winning business plan - it isn't popular but it works - so much so that BCA have just bought them to tie the market up further!
So you havn't actually been to look at the car but want a £1k + discount! Have you tried texting Not talking about waving money around or expecting a cash discount; I am talking about the convenience of an easy, safe stress free sale; no matter whether or not you agree with me the point is many many tens of thousands of people do because they go to wbac to get the same service I am offering as a private buyer and they make a huge amount of money every single day, that my dear PHer is what is know as a winning business plan - it isn't popular but it works - so much so that BCA have just bought them to tie the market up further!
"wat u take for cash m8 init bruv"
That would probably have a simular result.
How do you expect to be taken seriously by low balling over the phone.
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